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Collective acts of creativity

We’ve been so inspired by the collective acts of kindness happening up and down the country during this unprecedented time, and this crisis seems to have brought people together in amazing and creative ways.

York Theatre Royal is a place where creativity is at the heart of everything we do and we don’t want this to stop being the case simply because our building is closed. That’s why we’ve launched Collective Acts, a programme of activities and digital events that will help our wonderful community stay connected and keep the creativity going until we can open our doors once again.

Scroll down the page to find out what we’ve got going on at the moment including projects to help with home schooling and fun activities to keep the whole family entertained. Make sure you keep an eye out on our social media pages for further updates on other ways you can get involved.

Lockdown Legends Challenge

Creative Challenges for all

We’ve come up with a series of theatrical challenges for you to take part in whilst we are all staying safe at home. Our theatrical Lockdown Legends Challenges are open to all ages and just for fun. Including willing family members and pets is actively encouraged.

Get involved with every challenge and you could be in with the chance of winning some fantastic prizes!

In recognition of the truly exceptional circumstances we are all now living in, we have adapted the delivery of the nationally recognised Arts Award so that they can be undertaken from a home setting. Our guide is specially designed to be used by children and young people, supported by their parents/guardians, to keep them busy, engaged and inspired by the arts until our theatre reopens.

At a time when life in lockdown has meant drastic changes for all of us, a sense of normality like going to the theatre would be a welcome relief. But as theatres are closed for now and social distancing seems to be with us for a while, York Theatre Royal has been working in collaboration with BBC Radio York to bring the York Mystery Plays to life on Radio.

Listen to the York Radio Mystery Plays on BBC Radio York every Sunday, beginning on 7June and then on BBC Sounds.

The Plays, which date back to the 1300s, consist of a selection of biblical stories which are drawn together into a piece of theatre. The York Radio Mystery Plays are performed by a mix of community and professional actors.

Thank you to the 10,000 people who tuned in to our online stream of Everything Is Possible: The York Suffragettes on YouTube. We hope our inspirational production brought you some hope during this difficult time.

The play was performed on a spectacular scale with a cast of over 150 and a choir of 80. We raised the purple, green and white flags and cried “Votes for Women!” to sold-out audiences.

Railway Children Audiobook

Created by The Railway Children Cast

‘“There’s no end to this tunnel,” said Phyllis, and indeed it did seem very very long. “Stick to it,” said Peter; “everything has an end, and you get to it if you only keep all on.”’

Beth Lilly and Rosalind Lailey (who played Phyllis and Bobby in our 2015 production of The Railway Children) are recording a full, unabridged audiobook of the story during lockdown.